WASHINGTON, DC— In an effort to reduce traffic congestion, grow the local economy, and expand commuter rail service to South County, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today announced that Rhode Island will receive over $5.4 million in federal funding for Wickford Junction Station to develop commuter rail service to the southern part of the state.

A member of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Reed secured this funding as part of the South County Commuter Rail project. When Reed was named as a conferee to help write the final version of the Transportation Reauthorization Bill in 2005, he included a provision to construct a new commuter rail station at Wickford Junction and extend Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's commuter rail service to North Kingstown.

"This federal investment will channel critical funds to Wickford Junction Station to help with its design and development. This new rail line will help the state reduce pollution and meet clean air requirements," said Reed. "By getting more commuters off the highways and on to mass transit, this project will help relieve congestion along the I-95/Route1/Route 4 corridor, improve air quality, and provide Rhode Islanders with some measure of relief from rising gas prices."

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation will receive $2,446,400 for the purchase of land parcels for transit parking garage and access easements at Wickford Junction, along with $1,846,137 for design and engineering, and $1,200,000 for the purchase of tracks.

"The need to expand commuter rail service has become more and more essential as South County's population has continued to grow. There isn't a whole lot of room to build more roads, but we have the infrastructure in place to expand commuter rail and this money will help make it happen," concluded Reed.